Before you start AI training work, it helps to know exactly how the money reaches you — the method, the cadence, and the gotchas. The good news: legitimate platforms pay reliably and often, usually weekly or biweekly, with no minimum-payout nonsense. Here's how it works in 2026 and what to set up first.
How you get paid
Almost all platforms pay through one of three processors:
- Stripe — most common; direct to your bank in supported countries.
- Wise — widely used for international payouts; low fees and good exchange rates.
- PayPal — common for microtask and audio platforms; instant but watch the fees.
A few use direct ACH/bank transfer. Set up a Wise or PayPal account before you start — it's the most broadly accepted, especially if you're outside the US.
How often
- Weekly — Mercor, micro1, and several others pay for the prior week's logged work.
- Biweekly — some fellowship and enterprise-routed roles (e.g. Handshake AI engagements).
- Per-task / on-approval — some microtask platforms release payment once your work clears review.
Timing & holds
Expect the first payout to take a little longer than steady-state: platforms often verify identity and payout details before releasing the first check, and some tasks sit in a review/approval window before they count as payable. Once you're established, weekly platforms are genuinely weekly. Plan a 1–2 week ramp before money is flowing smoothly.
Minimum payouts
Most of the higher-tier platforms (Mercor, micro1) have no meaningful minimum — whatever you logged clears on the next cycle. Some microtask platforms hold until you reach a small threshold (e.g. $10–$20). Check the specific platform's payout page.
It's 1099 income — plan for it
You're an independent contractor, not an employee, so nothing is withheld. Each platform sends its own tax form (a 1099-NEC in the US) and you owe tax on the total. Set aside a portion of every payout from day one. Full mechanics — quarterly payments, deductions, multi- platform 1099s — are in our AI training taxes guide (non-US contributors: check your own country's rules).
Before your first payday: a checklist
- Set up Wise and/or PayPal.
- Complete the platform's identity + payout verification early (it gates the first payment).
- Note each platform's cadence and any minimum.
- Open a separate account or bucket for the tax set-aside.
- Confirm you're on a real platform — no legitimate job charges a fee to start (see the scam guide).
Get started
Pick a platform from our best-platforms guide, browse live openings on the home page, and see the pay-by-tier breakdown for what to expect per hour.